Updates, advisories and surprises

(5:19 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Detroit-based utility DTE Energy
DTE, +0.15%
on Thursday posted a third-quarter profit of $197 million, or $1.19 a share, up from $188 million, or $1.06 a share, a year earlier. Operating earnings, excluding one-time items, came to $1.09 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected earnings, on average, of 89 cents a share. For the full year, the company said it is confident it will post a profit of $2.50 to $2.65 a share. Wall Street previously forecast earnings of $2.76 a share.

Cephalon swings to loss

(5:06 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cephalon Inc.
CEPH
late Thursday said it swung to a third-quarter net loss of $306.7 million, or $4.58 a share. In the same period last year, the drug maker posted a profit of $95.7 million, or $1.43 a share. For the three months ended Sept. 30, sales fell to $438.4 million from $482.3 million. Cephalon said it expects to pay $425 million as part of a comprehensive settlement with federal regulators regarding Federal and related state Medicaid claims. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its 2007 sales forecast of $1.675 billion to $1.725 billion.

Nvidia earnings more than double in third quarter

(4:45 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Nvidia Corp.
NVDA, -2.69%
reported net income of $235.7 million, or 38 cents per share, on revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter ended Oct. 28, compared to income of $106.5 million, or 18 cents per share, on revenue of $820.57 million for the year-ago quarter. Minus one-time charges, the company said earnings per share would have been 44 cents. Analysts were expecting the company to report earnings per share of 37 cents on revenue of $1 billion.

Disney earnings rise on across-the-board strength

(4:12 PM ET) LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Walt Disney Co.
DIS, +1.62%
on Thursday said net income was $877 million, or 44 cents a share, compared with $782 million, or 36 cents a share from a year ago. Reporting after the close, the Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment conglomerate said sales were $8.93 billion vs. last year's $8.65 billion. Excluding tax adjustments, the company's earnings came in at 42 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected the company to post earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $8.98 billion. Disney shares had ended trading Thursday up 13 cents to $33.63. The company said in press release that it saw growth across the board, contributing to the gains.

Qualcomm earnings surge 84% for fourth quarter

(4:08 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Qualcomm Inc. saw earnings surge 84% for the September quarter amid strong demand for the company's chipsets that power wireless phones. For the fourth fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, the wireless technology company
QCOM, -0.70%
reported earnings of $1.13 billion, or 67 cents a share, compared to earnings of $614 million, or 36 cents a share, for the same period last year. The company said pro-forma earnings totaled $911 million, or 54 cents a share. Revenue grew 15% to $2.31 billion for the period from $2 billion last year. Analysts were expecting earnings of 53 cents a share on revenue of $2.26 billion, according to consensus estimates from Thomson Financial.

Cisco downgraded by Raymond James to market perform

(9:48 AM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cisco Systems Inc.
CSCO, -0.14%
was downgraded to a market perform rating Thursday morning by Raymond James. In a note to clients, analyst Todd Koffman said the company's first fiscal quarter results, which were reported late Wednesday, shows that Cisco's revenue growth trends "may be moderating." Cisco's results for the quarter came in above Wall Street's estimates, but the company's forecast for the current period was below analysts' expectations. "As such, multiple expansion has likely run its course and we would expect some multiple contraction as growth rates moderate," Koffman wrote.

Kohl's October comparable-store sales fell 3.8%

(9:47 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Kohl's Corp.'s
KSS, -2.42%
October same-store sales fell 3.8%, hurt by "significant declines" in weather-sensitive businesses such as outerwear, fleece and sweaters. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted an October same-store sales increase of 0.5%. The Wisconsin department store chain's total sales for the four-week period ended Nov. 3 rose 1.6% to $1.27 billion over the four-week period ended Oct. 28, 2006. Based on October's results, Kohl's expects third-quarter earnings in the range of 59 cents to 60 cents a share.

Fred's October same-store sales increase 0.6%

(9:43 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Fred's Inc.
FRED, -2.77%
said October same-store sales rose 0.6%, missing its forecast of 1% to 3%, due to warm weather. As a result, the Memphis-based general merchandise retailer expects third-quarter earnings to fall a penny short of its forecast of 15 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The Memphis-based general merchandise retailer said total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 increased 4% to $129.5 million from $124.9 million. Third-quarter sales rose 3% to $419.9 million from $407.9 million, as same-store sales rose 1.1%.

Spectrum Brands reports narrowed quarterly loss

(9:32 AM ET) BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Spectrum Brands
SPC, -1.15%
reported a narrowed fourth-quarter loss early Thursday. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Spectrum reported a net loss of $333 million, or $6.60 a share, compared with a loss of $439 million, or $8.88 a share, for the same quarter last year. Both years' quarters included hefty charges related to discontinued operations, tax adjustments and restructuring. Excluding various charges, Spectrum would have posted adjusted earnings of 23 cents a share, versus 17 cents last year. Sales rose to $548 million, up 13% from the 2006 period.

(9:30 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Rockwell Automation Inc.'s
ROK, +0.68%
fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell slightly to $165.2 million, or $1.08 a share, from $165.8 million or 94 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $1.07 a share. The Milwaukee automation services company said revenue for the period rose 15% to $1.37 billion from $1.19 billion a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.07 a share and revenue of $1.37 billion. The company expects 2008 revenue growth between 10% and 12% and earnings for the fiscal year between $4.25 and $4.45 a share.

TJX October same-store sales up 3%; affirms year profit view

(9:21 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- TJX Cos.,
TJX, -0.54%
the Framingham, Mass., retailer, reported that for October, comparable-store sales rose 3% while total sales were $1.54 billion, up 6% over the $1.46 billion of the year-earlier month. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 2.6%. The same-store sales were "slightly below" plan, but "the unseasonably warm weather in many U.S. and Canadian markets dramatically impacted all of our cold-weather apparel categories," President and Chief Executive Carol Meyrowitz said in a statement. TJX affirmed its estimate that third quarter earnings per share from continuing operations will range 53 cents to 55 cents a share.

Target sees higher November same-store sales

(9:14 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Discount retailer Target Corp.
TGT, -0.52%
on Thursday said its reported November same-store sales would rise in the low double digits. On an adjusted basis, the same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, would rise 2% to 4%. For December, reported same-store sales are expected to decline in the low single digits, Target said, while adjusted same-store sales for the period would rise 3% to 5%. Target said its reported results for November and December reflect a one-week shift in the fiscal calendar. This year, there are seven additional post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping days in November, and six fewer pre-Christmas shopping days in fiscal December. In 2006, November same-store sales rose 5.9%, and December same-store sales rose 4.1%.

Dollar Tree Stores sales rise in third quarter

(9:09 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc.
DLTR, +0.23%
said Thursday its third-quarter sales at stores open at least one year rose 1.9%. Total third-quarter sales increased 9.6% to $997.8 million. The discount retailer also said it expects third-quarter earnings of 35 to 38 cents a share, within its previous guidance range. Analysts, on average, expect third-quarter earnings of 37 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial.

Vonage posts sharply higher loss on legal costs

(9:05 AM ET) WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Vonage Holding Corp. on Thursday reported a wider third-quarter loss after the Internet-phone company absorbed heavy legal costs to settle several patent lawsuits. Holmdel, N.J.-based Vonage
VG, -0.14%
said its net loss jumped to $161.8 million, or $1.04 a share, from a loss of $62.2 million, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue climbed 30% to $211 million from $162 million, as the company added a net 78,000 customers to end the quarter with more than 2.5 million lines in service. Excluding litigation costs and other onetime items, Vonage said its loss would have fallen to 10 cents a share from a loss of 40 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. On an adjusted basis, Vonage was expected to lose 13 cents a share on revenue of $210 million, according to the consensus of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial. In other news, Vonage said it's reached an agreement in principle to settle a patent dispute with AT&T Inc.
T, -0.52%
which could results in a payment of as much as $39 million over five years. Vonage settled patent disputes with Verizon Communications Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. in the third quarter.

Ross Stores same-store sales up 1% in October

(8:56 AM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Ross Stores
ROST, -0.61%
on Thursday said October same-store sales fell 1%. Sales rose 6% to $470 million. The company forecast third-quarter earnings of 35 to 36 cents a share compared to the estimate of 36 cents a share in a survey of analysts by Thomson Financial. "As we enter the important holiday season, we remain cautious in our outlook and defensively postured with lower inventories and tight expense controls," the company said.

Target October same-store sales rose 4.1%

(8:51 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Target Corp.'s
TGT, -0.52%
October same-store sales rose 4.1%, aided in part by strength in its electronics and healthcare business. A Thomson Financial survey, on average, expected same-store sales to rise 2.5%. The Minneapolis retailer said sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 grew 9.7% to $4.45 billion from $4.05 billion. For November, the company expects same-store sales to increase in the low-double digits. When results are adjusted for the extra selling week in 2006, the company pegs November same-store sales up 2% to 4%. In addition, Target sees December same-store sales down in the low single-digits. On an adjusted basis, Target is forecasting December same-store sales to be up 3% to 5%.

Charter reports widened third-quarter loss

(8:43 AM ET) BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Charter Communications
CHTR, -0.12%
reported a third-quarter net loss of $407 million, or $1.10 a share, compared with $133 million, or 41 cents a share, for the same quarter last year. Last year's quarter included gains of $128 million on a debt exchange and $200 million for the sale of discontinued operations. Revenue for the quarter jumped 9.9% to $1.53 billion, up from $1.39 billion in 2006.

Saks' October same-store sales rise 10.6%

(8:41 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Saks Inc.
SKS, +1.15%
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year rose 10.6%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 5.4%, according to Thomson Financial. Owned sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 15.9% to $269.1 million. As the retailer previously noted, it expects same-store sales growth to be "outsized" in November and below average in December, citing the retail calendar shift and promotional adjustments.

(8:29 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Anglo-U.S. fund manager Invesco PLC
IVZ, -1.16%
Thursday posted a 67% rise in third-quarter net profit and said it had record assets under management. The company also confirmed it was on track to relist on the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 4. Net profit, or profit attributable to equity holders of the parent, was $170.6 million, up from $102 million in the same quarter last year. Assets under management were $507.2 billion, compared with $491.6 billion in the second quarter.

WCI swings to $70 mln loss

(8:22 AM ET) BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Residential builder WCI Communities Inc.
WCI, -23.61%
before Thursday's opening bell reported a third-quarter loss of $69.7 million, or $1.66 a share, compared with net income of $10.7 million, or 25 cents a share, the previous year. Quarterly revenue dropped 61% to $166 million, the Bonita Springs, Fla.-based company said. ``Demand continues to be unpredictable from week to week and we saw an increase in defaults and cancellations during the third quarter,'' said Jerry Starkey, WCI's chief executive, in the earnings release. The company's latest quarter included pretax real estate inventory impairment charges and write-offs of $35.9 million.

(7:51 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Stein Mart Inc.
SMRT, +0.38%
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 3.8%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to fall 6%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 1.4% to $113.7 million. For the third quarter, same-store sales fell 6.3%. The company now expects to post a third-quarter loss of 6 cents to 8 cents a share, which includes approximately 3 cents a share for costs related to the transition of the president/chief executive position during the period.

Barr Pharmaceuticals' net slides

(7:47 AM ET) BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.
BRL, -11.11%
Thursday said third-quarter net income fell to $38.9 million, or 36 cents a share, from $52.8 million, or 49 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Total revenue rose to $601.4 million from $332.4 million a year earlier. The company said it anticipates adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter of 73 cents to 83 cents a share, and between $3.10 and $3.20 for the full year. The stock closed Wednesday down 2.1% to $56.68.

Wet Seal October same-store sales fall, cuts forecast

(7:37 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Wet Seal Inc.
WTSLA
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 5.4%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to fall 2.1%, according to Thomson Financial. Net sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose to $41.5 million from $39.8 million. The company is also lowering its fiscal third quarter earnings guidance to a net loss of between 4 cents and 5 cents a share as compared to a previous estimate of between breakeven and profit of 2 cents a share. The revised guidance includes estimated asset impairment charges of approximately 2 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect it to earn 1 cent a share in the third quarter.

Chico's FAS October sales fall

(7:28 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Chico's FAS Inc.
CHS, +0.00%
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 10.6%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to fall 5.9%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 fell 4.1% to $121.2 million. The company said it forecast third-quarter earnings of 10 to 13 cents a share, including a 2-cent gain. Analysts, on average, were looking for 17 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial.

Pacific Sunwear October sales slip; raises forecast

(7:26 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.
PSUN
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 0.8%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to rise 2.8%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 0.5% to $85.3 million. The Anaheim, Calif.-based retailer raised its third-quarter earnings outlook to 14 cents to 15 cents a share from its previous target of 10 cents to 13 cents a share. This earnings estimate excludes the impact of store asset impairment charges of about 41 cents a share, and inventory and other reserve charges of about 4 cents a share, associated with the company's previously announced decision to seek strategic alternatives for its demo stores and to close its One Thousand Steps stores. Including the charges, Pacific Sunwear expects to report a third quarter loss of approximately 30 cents to 31 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson expected it to earn 13 cents a share for the third quarter, on average.

Windstream 3rd-quarter net down 40% after year-ago gain

(7:20 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Windstream Corp.,
WIN, -0.32%
the Little Rock, Ark., provider of voice, broadband and entertainment services, reported third-quarter net income fell 40% on 7% higher revenue. Earnings dropped to $117.7 million, or 25 cents a share, from $196.1 million, or 43 cents, in the year-earlier period. The year-ago figure includes a gain of $100 million from an accountng adjustment. Revenue reached $822.6 million from $771.4 million. Average revenue per customer per month was $81.61, an 8% percent increase.

H&E Equipment says results show across-the-board strength

(7:18 AM ET) WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- H&E Equipment Services Inc.
HEES, +0.43%
reported third-quarter net income of $20.2 million, or 53 cents a share, reversing a year-earlier loss of $11.5 million, or 30 cents a share. The Baton Rouge, La.-based company's quarterly revenue jumped to $270.6 million from $204.1 million. Analysts, on average, had been looking for earnings of 45 cents a share on revenue of $244.2 million, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial. The year-earlier loss reflected a one-time charge taken on early extinguishment of debt. H&E Equipment also increased its full-year projections, with earnings now pegged in a range of $1.70 to $1.75 a share and revenue forecast at $995 million to nearly $1.01 billion. Analysts' averages stand at $1.64 a share and $994.2 million, respectively.

Limited Brands October sales fall

(7:10 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Limited Brands Inc.
LTD, +6.84%
said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 6%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to fall 1.6%, according to Thomson Financial. Net sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 fell to $644.7 million from $694.8 million.

Dynegy swings to profit on sale of facility

(7:00 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Dynegy
DYN, +4.75%
said it swung to a third-quarter profit of $220 million, or 26 cents a share, with revenue doubling to $1.05 billion. The company was helped by $124 million in income on the sale of the CoGen Lyondell facility. From continuing operations, it earned 11 cents, below Thomson Financial-compiled analyst forecasts of 17 cents a share.

(6:50 AM ET) WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- MGP Ingredients Inc.
MGPI, +1.28%
reported a net loss of $318,000, or 2 cents a share, for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, a reversal from the prior year's profit of $7 million, or 41 cents a share. The Atchison, Kans-based grain-based products company's quarterly sales reached $88 million, up from $85 million a year ago. The company cited the impact of higher costs as well as lower ethanol pricing. Analysts, on average, had been looking for MGP Ingredients to generate a first-quarter profit of 14 cents a share on revenue of $103.9 million, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

Marsh & McLennan profit soars after Putnam sale

(6:43 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Insurance broker Marsh & McLennan Cos.
MMC, +0.31%
said Thursday that its third-quarter net income jumped to $1.95 billion, or $3.60 a share, from $176 million, or 31 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter rose 10.3% to $2.79 billion. The earnings growth was driven by a $1.87 billion profit from discontinued operations, reflecting the gain on the sale of Putnam Investments. Net profit from continuing operations were 15 cents a share and were negatively impacted by tax items totalling 4 cents a share. Analysts had been expecting earnings of 32 cents a share on revenue of $2.68 billion, according to Thomson Financial. "Despite continued strong performance in our consulting businesses, MMC's third-quarter results were significantly impacted by unacceptable financial performance in our insurance broking business," said CEO Michael Cherkasky.

(6:27 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Northwest Natural Gas Co.
NWN, +0.25%
said Thursday that its third-quarter net loss narrowed to $5.9 million, or 22 cents a share, from $9.7 million, or 35 cents a share, a year earlier. Gross operating revenue for the quarter rose 8% to $124.2 million. The company typically posts a third-quarter loss, reflecting lower summertime use of natural gas. Analysts had been expecting a loss of 31 cents a share, according to a poll by Thomson Financial. The company said its customer growth rate remained above the national average, while total gas sales and transportation deliveries slipped 1% due to lower industrial usage. The company also raised its 2007 earnings guidance to a range of $2.70 to $2.85 a share, from a range of $2.50 to $2.65 a share.

Stage Stores October comparable sales fell 2.9%

(6:18 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Stage Stores Inc.,
SSI, +4.20%
the Houston retailer, reported that in October, same-store sales fell 2.9% as total sales were about flat at $103.8 million against $103.6 million in the year-earlier month. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 1.7% for the month. Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Scarborough said in a statement that warm weather in the East and Northeast damped demand for Stage's fall assortments. He added that Stage is comfortable with its inventory levels as the holiday season approaches.

Watson Wyatt's first-quarter net rises 39%

(6:17 AM ET) WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc.
WW
reported net income of $34.4 million, or 77 cents a share, in the first quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $24.8 million, or 56 cents, earned in the year-earlier period. Quarterly revenue reached $401.7 million, up from the prior year's $336 million, the Arlington, Va.-based consulting firm said. Exchange rates accounted for 2 cents a share of earnings for the latest quarter. Analysts, on average, had been looking for a profit of 63 cents a share on revenue of $389.5 million, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial. The company also increased its forecast, saying it now anticipates profits of 67 cents to 69 cents a share for the second quarter and $2.98 to $3.03 a share for fiscal 2008. Analysts' average projections stand at 68 cents and $2.92 a share, respectively.

Lamar profit slips 14%

(6:13 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Lamar Advertising Co.
LAMR, -0.10%
said Thursday that its third-quarter net profit fell 14% to $14.4 million, or 15 cents a share, from $16.7 million, or 16 cents a share. Revenue for the period grew 7.7% to $314.3 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of 14 cents a share on revenue of $311 million. The company which operates outdoor advertising and logo sign displays, said it expects fourth-quarter revenue to be in a range of $301 million to $304 million.

U.S. Concrete net slips on flat revenue

(6:13 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. Concrete
RMIX
said third-quarter net income fell to $10 million, or 26 cents a share, from $11.2 million, or 29 cents a share. Revenue edged 0.1% lower to $250 million, reflecting lower ready-mixed concrete sales volumes and lower precast product sales, primarily offset by higher ready-mixed concrete sales prices and increased sales of aggregates. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 25 cents a share. The company said it's aggressively evaluating cost structure in light of challenging conditions. For the year, revenue is seen between $848 million and $858 million, with earnings between 33 cents and 37 cents a share. It expects lower ready-mixed volumes in 2008.

Delhaize 3rd-quarter net income doubled; revenue off 1.3%

(5:43 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Delhaize Group,
DEG
the Brussels operator of supermarkets in the U.S. and Belgium, reported that third-quarter net income more thdoubled on 1.3% lower revenue. Net income reached 103.2 million euros ($150 million). Per-share earnings were 1.01 euros a share compared with 0.47 in the year-earlier period. Revenue fell to 4.75 billion euros. The revenue declined stemmed from a 7.2% weakening in the U.S. dollar. In the U.S., Delhaize operates chains including Food Lion, Hannford and more. The U.S. operations were "excellent" in the quarter, with revenue at Food Lion and Hannaford "strong," President and Chief Executive Pierre-Olivier Beckers said in a statement. Comparable-store sales at the U.S. operations rose 4.6%.

Xoma swings to 3rd-quarter profit on a revenue jump

(4:24 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Xoma Ltd.,
XOMA, +1.05%
the Berkeley, Calif., developer of therapeutic antibodies, swung to a third-quarter profit from a year-earlier loss as revenue jumped. Earnings were $21.8 million, or 16 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $10.8 million, or 11 cents, in the year-earlier period. Shares outstanding rose 40% to 136.2 million. Revenue reached $43.1 million from $7.4 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of 3 cents of profit on $27 million of revenue. The company raised its estimate of revenue for the full year to a range of $78.2 million to $81.1 million. Xoma previously expected revenue for 2007 to range $57.5 million to $60.5 million. Thomson's survey is looking for $72 million for the year.

Costco October comparable sales up 9%, total sales up 13%

(3:49 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Costco Wholesale Corp.,
COST, +0.55%
the Issaquah, Wash., warehouse retailer, reported that for October, total sales rose 13% to $5.21 billion while same-store sales rose 9%. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 5.7% in the month. Same-store sales -- those from outlets open at least a year, eliminating the effect of acquisitions and divestitures -- rose 7% in the U.S. and 17% internationally, Costco reported.

InBev shares tumble after reporting weak U.K., China sales

(3:17 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Belgian brewing giant InBev(BE:000379310)tummbled 8.3% in early trading, as the group's third-quarter profit rise of 8% to 519 million euros fell short of analyst estimates . Weak sales in the U.K. and China and the rising cost of raw materials hurt profits, the brewer of Stella Artois said. It plans to cut costs to offset rising raw material prices, and expects cost of sales per hectoliter will move in line with average inflation next year.

International Power profit up 32% on European growth

(2:48 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- International Power Plc(UK:IPR)said Thursday that its net profit for the nine months ended Sept. 30 rose 32% to 378 million pounds ($788 million), while group revenue fell 12.8% to 1.61 billion pounds. Profit from operations excluding one-off items and derivatives valuations rose 12% to 634 million pounds. The group said growth was driven by its European business, where it benefited from a decision to forward contract output at some plants last year. European growth was partly balanced by a weaker performance in Australia due to price movements and an unplanned outage at one of its power plants.

Delek US 3rd-quarter net fell 22% on 16% higher revenue

(2:47 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Delek US Holdings,
DK, -0.25%
the Brentwood, Tenn., gasoline refiner and marketer, reported third-quarter net income fell 22% on 16% higher revenue. Earnings were helped as profit margins widened in marketing and the retail segment's sales rose, Delek US, a member of Israel's Delek Group, said. But margins in the refining segment were hurt by higher oil prices. Earnings fell to $20.4 million, or 38 cents, from $26.3 million, or 51 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue reached $1.06 billion from $920.8 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of earnings of 44 cents in the quarter.

Punch Taverns profit up 12.8%

(2:39 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. pub operator Punch Taverns(UK:PUB)said Thursday that its net profit for the year ended Aug. 18 rose 12.8% to 278.4 million pounds as revenue for the period rose 10.2% to 1.7 billion pounds. Comparable sales in the group's core managed estate rose 3.5% for the year, though the final quarter was a difficult one as poor weather and flooding restricted the trading for many of its pubs. Since the year end, the managed estate has traded broadly in line with last year's sales, with an increased proportion of the mix coming from food.

Adidas 3rd-quarter net up 22%; year profit seen up 15%

(2:37 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Adidas,
ADDYY, -0.51%
(DE:500340)the Herzogenaurach, Germany, producer of athletic apparel, reported third-quarter net income rose 22% on flat sales. Profit reached 298 million euros ($432.8 million) from 244 million in the year-earlier period. Revenue was 2.94 billion euros vs 2.95 billion. Sales grew in all regions except North America, Adidas said. Sales rose at adidas and TaylorMade-adidas Golf and declined at Reebok. Gross-profit margin for the group widened 3.6 percentage points to 48.6%. The company said that for the year, net income should rise around 15%, as currency-neutral sales grow in the mid-single-digits percent. Gross margin should come in at the upper end of the group's forecast range of 45% to 47%.

Man Group profit surges after MF Global spin-off

(2:31 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. hedge fund manager Man Group(UK:EMG)said Thursday that its net profit for the six months ended Sept. 30 jumped to $2.47 billion from $620 million, largely due to a gain from the initial public offering of its MF Global unit. Net profit from continuing operations rose 15.8% to $672 million and funds under management rose to $68.6 billion from $56.8 billion at the start of the period. The group said performance fees rose 28% as investors saw around $3 billion of positive performance, even in the face of the market volatility in the summer. Man Group said it will revise its distribution policy to take account of performance fees as well as management fees and hiked its dividend to 16.8 cents from 7.3 cents.

Siemens loses $107 million on VDO tax hit

(2:22 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Industrial conglomerate Siemens
SI, +5.36%
(DE:723610), which late Wednesday said it would buy back up to 10 billion euros of shares by 2010, said it lost 74 million euros ($107 million) in the fiscal fourth-quarter, mostly on the tax hit from carving out Siemens VDO Automotive. From continuing operations, income jumped to 1.39 billion euros from 139 million euros, with revenue up 9% to 20.2 billion euros and orders up 21% to 21.33 billion euros. It said all its businesses reached their Fit 4 2010 margin target ranges. For the current fiscal year, volume grown is seen twice as high as the rate of global economic growth.

BNP Paribas profit grows 21%, sees limited credit impact

(2:21 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- BNP Paribas(FR:013110)said Thursday that its third-quarter net profit rose 21% to 2.03 billion euros as revenue for the period rose 12.6% to 7.69 billion euros. The group said the credit market crisis only had a limited impact because of its low exposure to the assets that are under pressure. On its leveraged buyout commitments, the group took a fair-value adjustment of 194 million euros. The total impact on revenue and the cost of risk was a hit of 301 million euros, BNP Paribas said. The bank added its capital markets business saw revenue rise around 24% due to the high volatility in the period.

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